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Bulletins

REL - Religion

REL 101 World Religions: An Introduction to the Study of Religion

Basic forms of religious thought, practice, and expression studied as a component of human life; includes a survey of major religious traditions. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

REL 102 The Meaning of Life

Exploring religious and nonreligious ways that humans from diverse societies find value or meaning in human life and propose to live it well. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Identical to PHL 102. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. (University Program Group I-A: Humanities: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

Cross Listed Courses

PHL 102

REL 130 American Gods: Religion, Power, and Justice in North America

This course explores religions as fundamental to the story of the USA and to the Americas, engaging history, culture, politics, and ongoing struggles for freedom. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

REL 140 Religion, Race and Discrimination in America

Introduction to the religious expressions of Americans who have experienced racial discrimination, with emphasis on Native American, African-American, and Hispanic-American communities. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group IV-C: Studies in Racism and Diversity in the United States)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

REL 207 Women in Religion

Explores gender as a category of analysis in the academic study of religion, including opportunities and challenges for women in major religious traditions. Identical to WGS 207. Credit may be earned in more than one of these courses. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Recommended: ENG 201. (University Program Group IV-A: Studies in Discrimination)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

Cross Listed Courses

WGS 207

REL 220 Religious Traditions of China

Study of the basic character of Chinese religious traditions. Examines Chinese Buddhism, Confucianism, Chinese folk religions, and Daoism. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

REL 221 Religious Traditions of Japan

Study of Japanese religious traditions including Japanese Buddhism, Shinto, Japanese folk religions, and the New Religions of Japan. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

REL 222 Religious Traditions of India

Major features of religious traditions arising from or dominant within India, including Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Muslim and Sikh traditions. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

REL 235 Religion and Social Issues

Introduction to religious and ethical thought in personal, social and institutional contexts. Topics such as violence, sexism/heterosexism, racism, ecology or poverty may be examined. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

REL 240 African-American Religion

Origins, development, and contemporary character of African-American religion, including Christianity, Islam, and new religious movements. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group IV-C: Studies in Racism and Diversity in the United States)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

REL 250 Creation, Conquest, and Chaos: Introduction to the Old Testament

The literature, history, and religion of ancient Israel in its Near Eastern context as disclosed through study of the Hebrew Bible in English translation. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

REL 260 From Gospel to Apocalypse: Introduction to the New Testament

Intensive study of selected portions of New Testament literature, with an introduction to the Hellenistic-Roman age through study of selected background documents. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

REL 295 Career Pathways Exploration

Introduces foundational skills for identifying potential internships and careers, conducting internship or job searches, and successfully functioning in a professional setting. Identical to ANT 295, PHL 295. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses.

Credits
(1-0)

Cross Listed Courses

ANT 295, PHL 295

REL 302 Witchcraft, Magic, and Occult Phenomena

The history and theory of European witchcraft and demonology. Includes anthropology of witchcraft in non-Christian societies, gender and intersectionality, and new religious movements, like Wicca. Identical to WGS 302. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Prerequisite: ENG 201 with a grade of C or better. (University Program Group IV-A: Studies in Discrimination)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

ENG 201 with a grade of C or better.

Corequisites

None.

Cross Listed Courses

WGS 302

REL 303 Goddesses

Interdisciplinary study of goddesses in selected cultures, ancient and modern. Uses intersectionality to analyze opportunities and challenges inherent in gendering gods, including borrowing/reinventing goddesses today. Identical to WGS 303. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Prerequisite: ENG 201 with a grade of C or better. (University Program Group IV-A: Studies in Discrimination)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: ENG 201 with a grade of C or better.

Corequisites

None.

Cross Listed Courses

WGS 303

REL 304 Religion and Psychology

Surveys classic and contemporary psychological theories of religion, including behavioral, comparative, and cognitive perspectives and explores the psychological role of religion in human life.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

REL 313 Christianity

Development of the Christian religious tradition from Jesus of Nazareth to its major contemporary branches: Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, and Protestantism. May be offered as a Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

REL 314 Islam

Muhammad and the Qur'an, the Sunni and Shi`a split; nine subcultures of the Muslim world; Shari`a; women in Islam; jihad; terrorism; Islamism, and Sufism. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Prerequisite: 15 credit hours. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

15 credit hours

Corequisites

None.

REL 315 Judaism

Judaism as a multifaceted approach to identity and lifestyle, both personal and societal; religious expressions such as Torah, myth, ritual, festivals, holy days. May be offered as Writing Intensive. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

REL 320 The Buddhist Tradition

The general nature of the Buddhist tradition, with attention to particular developments within it (e.g., tantra, Zen). Primarily examines Buddhism's role in selected Asian cultures. (University Program Group IV-B: Studies in Cultures Outside of the Anglo-American Tradition)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

REL 334 Death and Dying

Religious and cultural explanations of death and responses to dying, death and mourning; religious, ethical, biomedical ethical and legal issues, e.g., health care, suicide, abortion, euthanasia. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Pre/Co-requisite: 12 credit hours. (University Program Group I-A: Human Events and Ideas)

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

REL 337 Rock n Roll and Spirituality

Examination of the religious and spiritual components of Rock ‘n’ Roll historically and thematically. Themes include lyrics, music, concerts, spokespersons, fandom, album art, and costumes. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Pre/co-requisite: 30 credit hours.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

REL 345 The Civil Rights Movement

Examines the civil rights movement from 1954 to 1980s; based on PBS series: Eyes on the Prize. Identical to PHL 345, PSC 325, SOC 345. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: Any one of the following: HST 110, HST 111, HST 112, LAR 145, PSC 100, PSC 105, PSC 125, REL 140, SOC 100. (University Program Group IV-C: Studies in Racism and Diversity in the United States)

Credits
3(3-0)

Cross Listed Courses

PSC 325/SOC 345/PHL 345

REL 362 The Apocalyptic Message and Method

Exploration of apocalyptic thought and literature; examination of its significance and continuing influence; evaluation of its method and approach.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

REL 395 Career Pathways Internship

Full- or part-time, on-the-job work experience in industry, government, or non-profit professional setting. CR/NC only. Identical to ANT 395, PHL 395. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. Prerequisites: 30 credit hours completed; ENG 201 with a C or better; 6 credit hours completed in courses offered in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (excluding ENG 101 and ENG 201). Recommended: PHL 295 or ANT 295 or PHL 295.

Credits
1-12(Spec)

Cross Listed Courses

ANT 395, PHL 395

REL 397 Special Studies

Each offering studies a selected topic using readings, discussions, lectures, and research as appropriate. May be offered as Writing Intensive.

Credits
1-9(Spec)

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

REL 459 Anthropology of Religion

Anthropological approaches to religions in global and local contexts. Identical to ANT 459. Credit may not be earned in more than one of these courses. May be offered as Writing Intensive. Recommended: Any ANT or REL course.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Cross Listed Courses

ANT 459

REL 494 Independent Studies in Religious Studies

Directed reading or research of an approved topic guided by a faculty member. Not open to students on academic probation. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Credits
1-9(Spec)

Prerequisites

permission of instructor

Corequisites

None.

REL 501WI Method and Theory in the Academic Study of Religion

The study of religion as an academic discipline, including major scholarly approaches to the concept of religion itself, religious experiences, and intersections with power. Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: 9 credit hours in Religion.

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

9 credit hours in Religion

Corequisites

None.

REL 505WI Research Seminar

A seminar supporting research projects in religion, primarily intended for seniors who are religion majors. Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: for undergraduates, a signed Religion major with completion of REL 501. For graduate studies, permission of instructor. 

Credits
3(3-0)

Prerequisites

For undergraduates, a signed Religion major with completion of REL 501. For graduate studies, permission of instructor.

Corequisites

None.

REL 597 Special Topics

Studies of areas in religion not included in courses currently listed in the Bulletin. Topics are to be agreed upon by student and instructor. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

Credits
1-6(Spec)

Prerequisites

Permission of instructor.

Corequisites

None.